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Chiba I, Nakaya N, Kogure M, Hatanaka R, Nakaya K, Tokioka S, Nakamura T, Nagaie S, Fuse N, Obara T, Kotozaki Y, Tanno K, Kuriyama S, Hozawa A. Associations between housing and psychological damage by earthquake and modifiable risk factors for dementia in general older adults: Tohoku Medical Megabank community-based cohort study. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24:509-516. [PMID: 38700081 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the association between housing and psychological damage caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE) and modifiable risk factors (MRFs) of dementia for general population of older adults. METHODS This cross-sectional study enrolled 29 039 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 69.1 ± 2.9 years, 55.5% women). We evaluated disaster-related damage (by complete or not complete housing damage) and psychological damage (by post-traumatic stress reaction [PTSR]) after the GEJE using a self-report questionnaire. MRFs encompassed the presence of depression, social isolation, physical inactivity, smoking, and diabetes. We examined the association between disaster-related damage and MRFs using ordinary least squares and modified Poisson regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and health status variables. RESULTS Complete housing damage and PTSR were identified in 2704 (10.0%) and 855 (3.2%) individuals, respectively. The number of MRFs was significantly larger for the individuals with complete housing damage (β = 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19-0.27) and PTSR (β = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.53-0.67). Prevalence ratios (PRs) for depression and physical inactivity were higher in individuals with complete housing damage. The PRs for all domains of the MRFs were significantly higher in individuals with PTSR. CONCLUSIONS Housing and psychological damage caused by the GEJE were associated with an increased risk factor of dementia. To attenuate the risk of dementia, especially among older victims who have experienced housing and psychological damage after a disaster, multidimensional support across various aspects of MRFs is required. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 509-516.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ippei Chiba
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Naoki Nakaya
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Mana Kogure
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Rieko Hatanaka
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kumi Nakaya
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Sayuri Tokioka
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Nakamura
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Faculty of Data Science, Kyoto Women's University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Nagaie
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nobuo Fuse
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Taku Obara
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yuka Kotozaki
- Division of Clinical Research and Epidemiology, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Kozo Tanno
- Division of Clinical Research and Epidemiology, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan
| | - Shinichi Kuriyama
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hozawa
- Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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Harada M, Tsuboyama-Kasaoka N, Yonekura Y, Shimoda H, Ogawa A, Kobayashi S, Sakata K, Nishi N. Associations Between Lifestyle Factors and Constipation Among Survivors After the Great East Japan Earthquake: A 9-year Follow-up Study. J Epidemiol 2024; 34:164-169. [PMID: 37635084 PMCID: PMC10918335 DOI: 10.2188/jea.je20220284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disaster survivors experience deterioration in lifestyles and an increase in constipation. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, some survivors were evacuated for a long term, even after moving to temporary housing and public reconstruction housing. However, annual changes in constipation and the association between lifestyles and constipation among the survivors are still unknown. METHODS Overall, 9,234 survivors aged 18 years or older participated in this 9-year follow-up survey after the disaster. Information about the prevalence of constipation and lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, and mental health) was collected using a self-reported questionnaire. Their dietary intake was categorized into the following two dietary patterns: prudent (fish and shellfish, soybean products, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products) and meat (meat and eggs). Odds ratios for constipation according to lifestyle factors were calculated using a generalized linear mixed model. RESULTS In women, the prevalence of constipation was the highest at baseline (8.7%) and remained around 5% afterward. In both men and women, older age, poor mental health, and poor physical activity were significantly associated with higher odds ratios of constipation. Moreover, a lower frequency of meals and a lower prudent dietary score were significantly associated with women's constipation. CONCLUSION The prevalence of constipation was the highest at baseline and remained around 5% in women. Lifestyle factors, such as poor mental health, physical inactivity, and low frequency of meals were associated with constipation. Our findings suggest continuous support for the survivors with constipation for medium- to long-term after disasters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moeka Harada
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nobuo Nishi
- National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Osaka, Japan
- St. Luke’s International University, Tokyo, Japan
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Hikichi H, Shiba K, Aida J, Kondo K, Kawachi I. Association between sense of coherence and health and well-being among older survivors of a natural disaster: a prospective outcome-wide study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16385. [PMID: 37773258 PMCID: PMC10542327 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43672-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined whether pre-disaster Sense of Coherence (SOC) mitigated the impact of housing damage on health and well-being of older survivors after the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. A panel survey was conducted in a city located 80 km west of the epicenter seven months before and three years after the disaster (3594 respondents). Among respondents with lighter property damage, higher SOC was inversely associated with mental distress (coefficient - 0.29, 95% CI (confidence interval) - 0.39, - 0.19, p < .01), unhappiness (coefficient - 0.33, 95% CI - 0.43, - 0.23, p < .01), low expectation of mutual help (coefficient - 0.17, 95% CI - 0.27, - 0.07, p < .01), and weak community attachment (coefficient - 0.20, 95% CI - 0.30, - 0.11, p < .01). Conversely, among those who experienced housing loss, higher SOC was no longer protectively associated with health and well-being. Loss of generalized resistance resources due to serious damage led to difficulties in stress coping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Hikichi
- Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitazato, Minami, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-0374, Japan.
| | - Koichiro Shiba
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Jun Aida
- Department of Oral Health Promotion, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Katsunori Kondo
- Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo, Chiba, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
- Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka, Obu, Aichi, 474-8511, Japan
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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Kotozaki Y, Tanno K, Otsuka K, Sasaki R, Sasaki M. Longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms associated with social isolation after the Great East Japan Earthquake in Iwate Prefecture: findings from the TMM CommCohort study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1154. [PMID: 37337230 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16082-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether past disaster experiences affect the association between changes in social isolation and depressive symptoms is largely unknown. This study examined the association between changes in social isolation and depressive symptoms among survivors who experienced earthquake damage in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). METHODS We analyzed longitudinal data from 10,314 participants who responded to self-report questionnaires on the Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Scale (CES-D) in both the baseline survey (FY2013 to FY2015) and follow-up survey (FY2017 to FY2019) after the GEJE. According to changes in the presence of social isolation (< 12 of LSNS-6) at two time points, participants were categorized into four groups: "not socially isolated," "improved socially isolated," "newly socially isolated," and "continuously socially isolated." At the follow-up survey, a CES-D score of ≥ 16 indicates the presence of depressive symptoms. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the logistic regression analysis to examine the influence of the change in social isolation over four years on depressive symptoms. RESULTS Participants who were newly socially isolated had a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than those who were not socially isolated (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.61 - 2.23). In addition, AORs were highest for those who were continuously socially isolated and had experienced house damage (AOR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.73 - 2.72) and those who were newly socially isolated and had not experienced the death of family members due to the GEJE (AOR = 1.88, 95%CI = 1.60 - 2.22). CONCLUSION Our longitudinal findings suggest that being newly or continuously socially isolated is associated with a risk of depressive symptoms, not only among those who had experienced house damage or the death of a family member, but also those who had not, in the disaster-affected area. Our study underlines the clinical importance of social isolation after a large-scale natural disaster and draws attention to the need for appropriate prevention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Kotozaki
- Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan.
| | - Kozo Tanno
- Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Kotaro Otsuka
- Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Ryohei Sasaki
- Division of Physical Education, Department of Human Sciences, Iwate Medical University Center for Liberal Arts and Sciences, Iwate, Japan
| | - Makoto Sasaki
- Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
- Division of Ultrahigh Field MRI, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
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Lee SS, Shim Y, Choi J, Choi I. Paradoxical Impacts of Social Relationship on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JOURNAL OF HAPPINESS STUDIES 2023; 24:745-767. [PMID: 36686601 PMCID: PMC9838380 DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00614-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Social interaction is an important source of psychological and physical well-being during normal times. However, following the COVID-19 outbreak, which spreads rapidly from person to person, social interaction poses a fatal threat to one's health and life. Therefore, several countries including South Korea implemented an intense social distancing mandate to prevent the spread of the virus. During these unique times of pandemic, the current research investigated whether and how an individual's well-being varies as a function of their interaction with various relationship partners using experience sampling data (Study 1) and online longitudinal data (Study 2). The results indicated that being alone was more detrimental to well-being during the pandemic than before it. Specifically, interaction with close relationship partners (e.g., romantic partner, spouse, or friend) was positively related to well-being, whereas interaction with formal relationship partners (e.g., coworker, boss) was negatively linked to momentary well-being during the pandemic. Furthermore, our study showed that the association between social supports from close relationships and well-being was temporally strengthened during COVID-19 pandemic. In sum, the benefits of close relationships on well-being were stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic than before it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seojin Stacey Lee
- Center for Happiness Studies, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yerin Shim
- Department of Psychology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jongan Choi
- Department of Psychology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Incheol Choi
- Center for Happiness Studies, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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Kunii Y, Usukura H, Otsuka K, Maeda M, Yabe H, Takahashi S, Tachikawa H, Tomita H. Lessons learned from psychosocial support and mental health surveys during the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake: Establishing evidence-based disaster psychiatry. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2022; 76:212-221. [PMID: 35137504 PMCID: PMC9314661 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Post-disaster mental health and psychosocial support have drawn attention in Japan after the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, with mental health care centers for the affected communities being organized. After the catastrophe, a reconstruction budget was allocated to organize mental health care centers to provide psychosocial support for communities affected by the 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake, the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. There were several major improvements in post-disaster mental health measures after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Disaster Psychiatric Assistance Team system was organized after the earthquake to orchestrate disaster response related to the psychiatric health system and mental health of the affected communities. Special mental health care efforts were drawn to the communities affected by the nuclear power plant accident through Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high yield Explosives, being succeeded by measures against the coronavirus pandemic. As another new movement after the Great East Japan Earthquake, the number of surveys involving communities affected by disasters has soared. More than 10 times the number of scientific publications were made in English during the decade following the Great East Japan Earthquake, compared with the previous decades. In this review, we examined the results and issues acquired in the 10 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, proposing evidence-based disaster psychiatry as the direction of future mental health measures related to emergency preparedness and response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuto Kunii
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Hitomi Usukura
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kotaro Otsuka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan.,Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Masaharu Maeda
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.,Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hirooki Yabe
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.,Department of Neuropsychiatry, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Sho Takahashi
- Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tachikawa
- Department of Disaster and Community Psychiatry, Division of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tomita
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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Practical Report of Disaster-Related Mental Health Interventions Following the Great East Japan Earthquake during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Potential for Suicide Prevention. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910424. [PMID: 34639724 PMCID: PMC8507691 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: This practical report aims to publicize the ongoing disaster-related mental health interventions following the Great East Japan Earthquake during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Disaster-related mental health interventions consisted of: (1) screening high-risk evacuees with high psychological distress (Kessler 6 score ≥ 13) or binge drinking; and (2) visiting selected high-risk individuals and providing them counseling through outreach in evacuee housing. These activity records were compiled from existing material in the Sendai City Office; therefore, no new interviews or questionnaire surveys were conducted. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, we introduced telephone counseling and shortened the time of support as a result of the restrictions. Counselors addressed issues of “loneliness” or “isolation” among evacuees, who had little connection with society due to the pandemic. Moreover, the procedure for obtaining COVID-19 special financial aid was explained to evacuees in financial difficulty. During this period, the suicide rates in the affected area did not increase significantly as compared to the national average. Conclusions: Our report may be instructive in terms of preventing suicide during the pandemic using high-risk approaches and counselors trained in disaster-related mental health interventions.
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Sekiguchi T, Hagiwara Y, Yabe Y, Sugawara Y, Tsuji I, Itoi E. Association of decreased physical activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic with new-onset neck pain in survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e051751. [PMID: 34426471 PMCID: PMC8384496 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to stay at home and to maintain social distancing. This study aimed to assess the association of reduced physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic with new onset of neck pain (katakori) among a rural Japanese population living in areas damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS This prospective cohort study has been conducted continuously since 2011 after the GEJE. This study used longitudinal data from 1608 adults who responded to the self-reported questionnaire before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in physical activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic were categorised into four groups: 'no change', 'decreased by 20%-30%', 'decreased by half' and 'almost never go out'. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the OR and 95% CI of the association between COVID-19 pandemic-related physical inactivity and new-onset neck pain. RESULTS In total, 'no change', 'decreased by 20%-30%', 'decreased by half', and 'almost never go out' were reported by 9.2%, 27.7%, 31.2% and 21.9% of respondents, respectively. Among them, 9.8% reported new-onset neck pain. A significantly higher rate of new-onset neck pain was observed in participants who reported 'decreased by half' (adjusted OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.30) and who 'almost never go out' (adjusted OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.91), compared with those who reported 'no change.' CONCLUSIONS Decreased physical activity has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was significantly associated with new-onset neck pain among GEJE survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Sekiguchi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, JR Sendai Hospital, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hagiwara
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yutaka Yabe
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yumi Sugawara
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Forensic Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Ichiro Tsuji
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Forensic Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Eiji Itoi
- Department of Orthopaedic Science, Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Sendai, Japan
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Five-Year Psychosocial Impact of Living in Postdisaster Prefabricated Temporary Housing. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2021; 16:1966-1974. [PMID: 34414879 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2021.214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the long-term impact of living in postdisaster prefabricated temporary housing on social interaction activities and mental health status. METHODS A total of 917 adult residents in a coastal town, whose residences were destroyed by the tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), were enrolled for the assessment held 5 y after the disaster. They answered questions about their experience and consequence of living in prefabricated temporary housing after the disaster. Their present scores on 5 types of self-reported measures regarding the psychosocial or psychiatric status and their present and recalled social interaction activities were cross-sectionally collected. RESULTS A total of 587 (64.0%) participants had a history of living in prefabricated temporary housing, while the other 330 (36.0%) had not. The prevalence of social interaction activities significantly decreased after the GEJE. However, the experience of living in prefabricated temporary housing did not adversely affect the subsequent social interaction activities or mental conditions of the participants 5 y after the disaster. CONCLUSIONS Living in postdisaster prefabricated temporary housing may not negatively impact subsequent psychosocial conditions or social interaction activities 5 y later.
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Development of Behavior Abnormalities in a Patient Prevented From Returning Home After Evacuation Following the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Case Report. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2020; 15:804-807. [DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
After Japan’s major nuclear accident in 2011, approximately 150,000 Fukushima residents were ordered to evacuate. Beginning in 2015, the evacuation orders have been systematically lifted. However, the health impacts of allowing residents to return to homes in areas previously uninhabitable due to nuclear radiation remain poorly understood.
Declaring radiation levels to be safe does not necessarily eliminate the concerns of residents about the effects of radiation exposure. Rebuilding medical, welfare, and commercial infrastructure and services takes time. Nontangible community elements, such as mutually dependent social networks, also require time to be re-established. Nevertheless, the Japanese government prioritizes policies that encourage evacuees to return home as soon as it is safe to do so.
Post-disaster evacuation situations and subsequent return home pose substantial—and as yet relatively unknown—mental and physical health threats for those affected, especially those in vulnerable groups, such as the sick, the elderly, and children.
Here we report a case of an elderly female evacuee with dementia, who was prevented from returning home after her hometown evacuation order was lifted, began exhibiting marked behavioral abnormalities. Loss of emotional ties that were created while she was housed in temporary accommodation appeared to be a critical contributing factor.
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